March 10

The Carysfort Lighthouse

1852 – The Carysfort Reef Lighthouse was lighted and began operation.

1925 – It “rained” booze from the windows of the Monroe County Courthouse, after Judge Harris ordered that confiscated whiskey, aguardiente, and other assorted liquors be destroyed. Hundreds of spectators watched as the illegal spirits were poured to the ground.

1933 – Edmund H. Harvey was building a fishing lodge that was known as “Sombrero Lodge” on the 51 acres he owned on Key Vaca.

1938 – The Key West Hospitality Band, under the direction of Alfredo Barroso, gave a free, ten-selection concert at Bayview Park. The event started at 8:00 PM.

1945 – The Monroe County Health Department complained to Key West city commissioners about the inordinate number of flies coming from the city dumping grounds on Stock Island. It was requested that “wet” garbage be hauled out to sea instead of being dumped together with trash.

1953 – City Electric’s power line to Big Pine Key was energized, bringing commercial power to the Lower Keys for the first time.

1967 – Monroe County dedicated sub-courthouses in Plantation Key, Marathon and the courthouse annex in Key West. Florida’s Secretary of Agriculture was speaker at all three dedications: 10 a.m. at Plantation, 2 p.m. at Marathon, and 4 p.m. at Key West.

Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: The Carysfort Lighthouse. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.